Abstract: Structures and formation methods of a semiconductor device structure are provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a first fin structure over a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor device structure also includes a second fin structure over the semiconductor substrate. The second fin structure has a lower height than that of the first fin structure. The second fin structure includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall, and the first sidewall and the second sidewall surround a recess over the second fin structure.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a method for forming the same are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate, an interfacial layer formed over the substrate, and an insertion layer formed over the interfacial layer. The semiconductor structure further includes a gate dielectric layer formed over the insertion layer and a gate structure formed over the gate dielectric layer. In addition, the insertion layer is made of M1Ox, and M1 is a metal, O is oxygen, and x is a value greater than 4.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a method for forming the same are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate and a gate structure formed over the substrate. The gate structure includes a gate dielectric layer formed over the substrate and a capping layer formed over the gate dielectric layer. The gate structure further includes a capping oxide layer formed over the capping layer and a work function metal layer formed over the capping oxide layer. The gate structure further includes a gate electrode layer formed over the work function metal layer.

Abstract: Structures and formation methods of a semiconductor device structure are provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a gate stack over a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor device structure also includes a source/drain structure over the semiconductor substrate, and the source/drain structure includes a dopant. The semiconductor device structure further includes a channel region under the gate stack. In addition, the semiconductor device structure includes a semiconductor layer surrounding the source/drain structure. The semiconductor layer is configured to prevent the dopant from entering the channel region.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is disclosed in some embodiments. The device includes a substrate, and a layer disposed over the substrate. The layer includes an opening extending through the layer. A plurality of bar or pillar structures or a tapered region are arranged in a peripheral portion of the opening and laterally surround a central portion of the opening. A metal body extends through the central portion of the opening.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated chip having one or more back-end-of-the-line (BEOL) selectivity stress films that apply a stress that improves the performance of semiconductor devices underlying the BEOL selectivity stress films, and an associated method of formation. In some embodiments, the integrated chip has a semiconductor substrate with one or more semiconductor devices having a first device type. A stress transfer element is located within a back-end-of-the-line stack at a position over the one or more semiconductor devices. A selectivity stress film is located over the stress transfer element. The selectivity stress film induces a stress upon the stress transfer element, wherein the stress has a compressive or tensile state depending on the first device type of the one or more semiconductor devices. The stress acts upon the one or more semiconductor devices to improve their performance.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, first strain-inducing source and drain structures, a first gate structure, a first channel region, second strain-inducing source and drain structures, a second gate structure, and a second channel region. At least one of the first strain-inducing source and drain structures has a first proximity to the first channel region. At least one of the second strain-inducing source and drain structures has a second proximity to the second channel region. The second proximity is different from the first proximity.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate, a first active area, a second active area, a first trench, at least one raised portion, and a first dielectric. The first active area is in the semiconductor substrate. The second active area is in the semiconductor substrate. The first trench is in the semiconductor substrate and separates the first active area and the second active area from each other. The raised portion is raised from the semiconductor substrate and is disposed in the first trench. The first dielectric is in the first trench and covers the raised portion.

Abstract: A semiconductor device with the metal fuse is provided. The metal fuse connects an electronic component (e.g., a transistor) and a existing dummy feature which is grounded. The protection of the metal fuse can be designed to start at the beginning of the metallization formation processes. The grounded dummy feature provides a path for the plasma charging to the ground during the entire back end of the line process. The metal fuse is a process level protection as opposed to the diode, which is a circuit level protection. As a process level protection, the metal fuse protects subsequently-formed circuitry. In addition, no additional active area is required for the metal fuse in the chip other than internal dummy patterns that are already implemented.

Abstract: A semiconductor device having enhanced passivation integrity is disclosed. The device includes a substrate, a first layer, and a metal layer. The first layer is formed over the substrate. The first layer includes a via opening and a tapered portion proximate to the via opening. The metal layer is formed over the via opening and the tapered portion of the first layer. The metal layer is substantially free from gaps and voids.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a number of lateral diffusion measurement structures arranged on a silicon substrate. A lateral diffusion measurement structure includes a p-type region and an n-type region which cooperatively span a predetermined initial distance between opposing outer edges of the lateral diffusion measurement structure. The p-type and n-type regions meet at a p-n junction expected to be positioned at a target junction location after dopant diffusion has occurred.

Abstract: A semiconductor device with the metal fuse and a fabricating method thereof are provided. The metal fuse connects an electronic component (e.g., a transistor) and a existing dummy feature which is grounded. The protection of the metal fuse can be designed to start at the beginning of the metallization formation processes. The grounded dummy feature provides a path for the plasma charging to the ground during the entire back end of the line process. The metal fuse is a process level protection as opposed to the diode, which is a circuit level protection. As a process level protection, the metal fuse protects subsequently-formed circuitry. In addition, no additional active area is required for the metal fuse in the chip other than internal dummy patterns that are already implemented.

Abstract: The semiconductor device includes a substrate, an epi-layer, a first etch stop layer, an interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer, a second etch stop layer, a protective layer, a liner, a silicide cap and a contact plug. The substrate has a first portion and a second portion. The epi-layer is disposed in the first portion. The first etch stop layer is disposed on the second portion. The ILD layer is disposed on the first etch stop layer. The second etch stop layer is disposed on the ILD layer, in which the first etch stop layer, the ILD layer and the second etch stop layer form a sidewall surrounding the first portion. The protective layer is disposed on the sidewall. The liner is disposed on the protective layer. The silicide cap is disposed on the epi-layer. The contact plug is disposed on the silicide cap and surrounded by the liner.

Abstract: A semiconductor device having enhanced passivation integrity is disclosed. The device includes a substrate, a first layer, and a metal layer. The first layer is formed over the substrate. The first layer includes a via opening and a tapered portion proximate to the via opening. The metal layer is formed over the via opening and the tapered portion of the first layer. The metal layer is substantially free from gaps and voids.

Abstract: A semiconductor device with an increased effective gate length or an increased effective channel width, and a method of forming the same are provided. The effective gate length or the effective channel width of the device is increased by lowering a top surface of an oxide isolation structure below the gate of the semiconductor device.

Abstract: A semiconductor device with the metal fuse and a fabricating method thereof are provided. The metal fuse connects an electronic component (e.g., a transistor) and a existing dummy feature which is grounded. The protection of the metal fuse can be designed to start at the beginning of the metallization formation processes. The grounded dummy feature provides a path for the plasma charging to the ground during the entire back end of the line process. The metal fuse is a process level protection as opposed to the diode, which is a circuit level protection. As a process level protection, the metal fuse protects subsequently-formed circuitry. In addition, no additional active area is required for the metal fuse in the chip other than internal dummy patterns that are already implemented.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated chip having one or more back-end-of-the-line (BEOL) stress compensation layers that reduce stress on one or more underlying semiconductor devices, and an associated method of formation. In some embodiments, the integrated chip has a semiconductor substrate with one or more semiconductor devices. A stressed element is located within a back-end-of-the-line stack at a position overlying the one or more semiconductor devices. A stressing layer is located over the stressed element induces a stress upon the stressed element. A stress compensation layer, located over the stressed element, provides a counter-stress to reduce the stress induced on the stressed element by the stressing layer. By reducing the stress induced on the stressed element, stress on the semiconductor substrate is reduced, improving uniformity of performance of the one or more semiconductor devices.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a p-type region formed beneath a surface of a semiconductor substrate, and an n-type region formed beneath the surface of the semiconductor substrate. The n-type region meets the p-type region at a p-n junction. A diffusion barrier structure, which is beneath the surface of the semiconductor substrate and extends along a side of the p-n junction, limits lateral diffusion between the p-type region and n-type region.

Abstract: A semiconductor device having enhanced passivation integrity is disclosed. The device includes a substrate, a first layer, and a metal layer. The first layer is formed over the substrate. The first layer includes a via opening and a tapered portion proximate to the via opening. The metal layer is formed over the via opening and the tapered portion of the first layer. The metal layer is substantially free from gaps and voids.

Abstract: A semiconductor device with the metal fuse is provided. The metal fuse connects an electronic component (e.g., a transistor) and a existing dummy feature which is grounded. The protection of the metal fuse can be designed to start at the beginning of the metallization formation processes. The grounded dummy feature provides a path for the plasma charging to the ground during the entire back end of the line process. The metal fuse is a process level protection as opposed to the diode, which is a circuit level protection. As a process level protection, the metal fuse protects subsequently-formed circuitry. In addition, no additional active area is required for the metal fuse in the chip other than internal dummy patterns that are already implemented.